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September 2, 2008

Intel Acquires Mobile Linux Developer OpenedHand

by Sam Savage

Intel has acquired OpenedHand, a London, UK-based mobile Linux development and services company, for an undisclosed sum.

OpenedHand's client base includes Nokia, One Laptop Per Child, Access, OpenMoko, Vernier, and Irex Technologies. Intel said it will also support OpenedHand's open source projects, Clutter and Matchbox. Matchbox is an open-source base environment for the X Window System and is designed for mobile platforms with small displays, limited input mechanisms, and low system resources.

OpenedHand will join the Intel Open Source Technology Center and will be involved in the development of an optimized software stack for Intel Atom processors, the Moblin Software Platform. The Moblin project was launched last year to develop Linux for Intel-based mobile internet devices and vehicle-based products, and with the acquisition Intel is aiming to attract Linux developers to the project

The acquisition will also boost the company's plans to sell sub-$200 Atom-based laptops in India that are likely to run on Linux.